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Theroninhunter
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November 4, 2017
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Using gas whilst away, how is this possible?

  • November 4, 2017
  • 101 replies
  • 57308 views
So whilst i was away the My OVO app showed i was burning 30p a day of gas. Now i use NEST so i turned the thermostat to off before going

I have no other gas appliance so unsure what to-do, i have OVO smart meters so could they be sending false data?
Best answer by Mw2870

Updated on 13/05/26 by Chris_OVO

 

I was interested in your post as I have also been looking at my gas consumption when I am not at home since my Smart Meter was installed.

On days I am not in the house for a whole 24 hour period, MyOVO shows that the Gas cost for the day was £0.33. This seems to be consistent across the month.

This is made up of 28.77p standing charge and then 1.4 kwh of use @ 2.66p per kWH.
So 32.494p in total (I guess My OVO always rounds up in the graph).

So I was curious as to what is using the 1.4 kwh of Gas.... I have two Gas Appliances, a Vaillant Combi Boiler which does hot water and heating and a gas hob.

Now I know for sure the hob wasn't turned on, and I too have a Nest system so I know that the heating wasn't turned on at all (from the history in Nest).

So I have three theories
1) The Boiler occasionally uses a tiny bit of gas? Some sort of maintenance safety feature...
2) I have the worlds smallest gas leak
3) The meter is creeping when no gas is being used

I plan to test these theories by switching the boiler off completely and seeing if I get the same result next time I go away.

So just an update on this now that the summer is here!

The conclusion, my meter is definitely not creeping forwards on its own and it is the boiler that is using gas, even when it is not being used!


So even though I have a combi boiler, with no hot water tank and I know the heating is not being used, it still seems to used around 1kWh of Gas per day. Next time the annual service is due I will ask the plumber to see if he knows why.

So in the summer I can turn it off completely before I go away (no pilot light so easy to switch off and on), but in the Winter I will probably leave on when away as the thermostat will cut in if the temperature drops to prevent the pipes freezing and it is nice to turn the heating on when you are on your way home!

 

 

It’s very rare for smart meters to over-clock your usage, if you’re concerned about the accuracy of your meter see this guide for how to test for a faulty meter. If you’re looking at your online account, make sure you’re looking at data using meter readings, and that it’s not been estimated.

 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that even when you’re away from home your daily standing charge is still applied which might help explain the usage costs you see on your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS), whilst your home is empty.

 

If you are noticing minimal charges over the daily standing charge it’s possible that your boiler/pilot light uses a small amount of gas, even when your heating is switched off.

 

Not answered your question? The below topics might be helpful:
 

 

 



OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

101 replies

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Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
April 28, 2023

Hi @MrsSB 

I once had a very small gas leak in my case nothing to do with my meter. Of course it may be something different. 

If you haven't already i would urgently sign up for the priority services register as you are eligible 

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/priority-services-register

https://www.ovoenergy.com/register-for-priority-services

Under that you can ask OVO to do a free gas safety check at least to put your mind at rest

If you are at all concerned there is further details of what to do with potential gas leaks here. 

https://www.ovoenergy.com/emergency

 

 

    A
    Anonymous
    April 28, 2023

    Hi @MrsSB 

    I once had a very small gas leak in my case nothing to do with my meter. Of course it may be something different. 

    If you haven't already i would urgently sign up for the priority services register as you are eligible 

    https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/priority-services-register

    https://www.ovoenergy.com/register-for-priority-services

    Under that you can ask OVO to do a free gas safety check at least to put your mind at rest

    If you are at all concerned there is further details of what to do with potential gas leaks here. 

    https://www.ovoenergy.com/emergency

     

     

    Thanks for your reply. I've now signed up for the priority services register, but it said we're not eligible for the free gas safety check, presumably as our only criteria is being over 65 ( why am I not surprised by this????).

    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    April 28, 2023

    Thanks for your reply. I've now signed up for the priority services register, but it said we're not eligible for the free gas safety check, presumably as our only criteria is being over 65 ( why am I not surprised by this????).

     

    • Free Gas Safety Checks – some PSR members can get free Gas Safety Checks. Check if you're eligible for a free check:

      • Live with a child under five years old,
      • Live alone or with others and have reached state pension age, or
      • Live alone or with others and are disabled or chronically ill,
      • Live with others who have reached state pension age or are disabled, chronically ill or under 18 years old

    • I’m eligible. How do I apply? Just call 0330 303 5063 and we’ll get you booked in

    See the requirements above. Sorry to hear you were refused. I have flagged this to the moderators that you have been refused. Also tagged them here @Tim_OVO @Emmanuelle_OVO 

    A
    Anonymous
    April 28, 2023

    • Free Gas Safety Checks – some PSR members can get free Gas Safety Checks. Check if you're eligible for a free check:

      • Live with a child under five years old,
      • Live alone or with others and have reached state pension age, or
      • Live alone or with others and are disabled or chronically ill,
      • Live with others who have reached state pension age or are disabled, chronically ill or under 18 years old

    • I’m eligible. How do I apply? Just call 0330 303 5063 and we’ll get you booked in

     

    Thanks. I'll give them a call later. I ticked the boxes, telling them we're over 65 & asking for the check, but a box appeared stating we are not eligible. I'll try by phone. 

    As for the gas, we used exactly the same gas yesterday as we did the day before, apart from an extra boiling of the kettle, and our usage has, according to today's meter reading, quadrupled!!! Once I get the breakdown of when it was supposedly used (I have a written record) I will be on the phone (again!!!!).

    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    April 28, 2023

    Thanks. I'll give them a call later. I ticked the boxes, telling them we're over 65 & asking for the check, but a box appeared stating we are not eligible. I'll try by phone. 

    As for the gas, we used exactly the same gas yesterday as we did the day before, apart from an extra boiling of the kettle, and our usage has, according to today's meter reading, quadrupled!!! Once I get the breakdown of when it was supposedly used (I have a written record) I will be on the phone (again!!!!).

     

    I have flagged to the OVO moderators that you were refused a free gas safety check. 

      A
      Anonymous
      April 28, 2023

       

      This is, according to Ovo, yesterday's usage. In fact our usage was 7.30 hot water for washing & washing up, 9.00 kettle. 12.00 washing up. 3.00 kettle, 5.00 washing up & kettle, no heating (we were freezing!). I am at my wit's end. They're now telling me it's our usage for the day being averaged out. It's more than 4 times the day before, with just one kettle boiling more. No-one at Ovo is interested in helping.

      A
      Anonymous
      April 28, 2023

      I have flagged to the OVO moderators that you were refused a free gas safety check. 

       

      I've just spoken to Ovo. We don't qualify for a free safety check, or in fact any safety check at all, as we don't get any means tested benefits. Thanks for trying to help us though, unlike Ovo who haven't been any help whatsoever!

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      April 28, 2023

      Hey @MrsSB,

       

      Sorry for the issues you’re having,

       

      There is additional criteria required when we book a gas safety check:

       

      There is additional criteria: 

       

      Gas safety checks 

       

      The customer must meet all of the following criteria:

      • Have not had a gas safety check within the last 12 months
      • Be currently receiving a means tested benefit
      • Not live in a rented property (it's the responsibility of the landlord (under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) to ensure that these appliances are safe and that yearly checks are undertaken

      The customer must also fulfil at least one of the following:

      • Live with others, at least one of whom is under five years old.
      • Be of pensionable age, be disabled or chronically sick and living alone.
      • Live with others who are of pensionable age or under 18 and disabled or chronically sick

      The customer will be contacted by Northern Gas within 21 days for an appointment. 

       

      If you feel like there could be a gas leak, there is more information on our website:

       

      Gas emergency

      If you can smell gas or think you have a gas leak: 

      • Do open doors and windows to let the gas escape
      • Do check your gas appliances are switched off
      • Do call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999
      • Do turn your gas off at the isolation switch (if you know where it is), then wait outside, and let your neighbours know.
      • Don't switch lights on or off, use doorbells, mobile phones or use any electrical switches.
      • Don't smoke, light a match or use any other kind of naked flame.
      • Don't go back into your home until you’ve got the all-clear.

      If you're worried fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999. For further information about gas safety in the home check out our guide here. 

       

      If you believe you may have a faulty meter this topic may help:

       

       

      Keep us posted with how you get on.

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        April 28, 2023

        It is not on this page @Emmanuelle_OVO 

         

        Show more replies
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